2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN sensor

187
1-9. Safety information
1
Before driving
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
Yo u r v e h i c l e i s e q u i p p e d w i t h ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed based
on the US motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The airbag
sensor assembly (ECU) controls airbag deployment based on infor-
mation obtained from the sensors etc. shown in the system compo-
nents diagram above. This information includes crash severity and
occupant information. As the airbags deploy, a chemical reaction in
the inflators quickly fills the airbags with nontoxic gas to help restrain
the motion of the occupants.
■If the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
●Bruising and slight abrasions may result from contact with a deploying
(inflating) SRS airbag.
●A loud noise and white powder will be emitted.
●Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator)
as well as the front seats, parts of the front and rear pillars, and roof side
rails, may be hot for several minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.
●The windshield may crack.
●For Safety Connect subscribers, if the SRS airbags deploy or in the event
of a severe rear-end collision, the system is designed to send an emer-
gency call to the response center, notifying them of the vehicle’s location
(without needing to push the “SOS” button) and an agent will attempt to
speak with the occupants to ascertain the level of emergency and assis-
tance required. If the occupants are unable to communicate, the agent
automatically treats the call as an emergency and helps to dispatch the
necessary emergency services. (→P. 4 1 5 )

196
1-9. Safety information
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
●Do not use seat accessories which cover the parts where the SRS side
airbags inflate as they may interfere with inflation of the airbags. Such
accessories may prevent the side airbags from activating correctly, disable
the system or cause the side airbags to inflate accidentally, resulting in
death or serious injury.
●Do not strike or apply significant levels of force to the area of the SRS air-
bag components.
Doing so can cause the SRS airbags to malfunction.
●Do not touch any of the component parts immediately after the SRS air-
bags have deployed (inflated) as they may be hot.
●If breathing becomes difficult after the SRS airbags have deployed, open a
door or window to allow fresh air in, or leave the vehicle if it is safe to do
so. Wash off any residue as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation.
●If the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel
pad and front and rear pillar garnishes, are damaged or cracked, have
them replaced by your Toyota dealer.
●Do not place anything, such as a cushion, on the front passenger’s seat.
Doing so will disperse the passenger’s weight, which prevents the sensor
from detecting the passenger’s weight properly. As a result, the SRS front
airbags for the front passenger may not deploy in the event of a collision.

283
2-2. Instrument cluster
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■Driving in Eco drive mode
The multi-information display will automatically switch the display to Hybrid
System Indicator, regardless of which display is currently being shown.
(→P. 2 6 8 )
■To u c h t r a c e r d i s p l a y ( i f e q u i p p e d )
●The touch tracer display can be set to not display even if the steering
switches are touched.
●Only the circular, rubber-covered switches have a built-in touch sensor.
To u c h i n g a n y o f t h e o t h e r s w i t c h e s w i l l n o t d i s p l a y t h e t o u c h t r a c e r d i s -
play.
■Display settings can be changed when
The vehicle speed is less than approximately 5 mph (8 km/h).
■Engine speed
On hybrid vehicles, engine speed is precisely controlled in order to help
improve fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions etc. There are times
when the engine speed that is displayed may differ even when vehicle oper-
ation and driving conditions are the same.
■When the 12-volt battery is disconnected
The following data will be reset.
●Average fuel consumption
●Distance to empty
●Average vehicle speed
●EV driving ratio
●Clock
●Display settings
●Trip meter

296
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Headlight control sensor (if equipped)
■Automatic light off system
●When the headlights come on: The headlights and tail lights turn off 30
seconds after a door is opened and closed if the “POWER” switch is
turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off. (The lights turn off immedi-
ately if on the key is pressed after all the doors are locked.)
●When only the tail lights come on: The tail lights turn off automatically if
the “POWER” switch is turned to ACCESSORY mode or turned off and
the driver’s door is opened.
To turn the lights on again, turn the “POWER” switch to ON mode, or turn the
light switch off once and then back to or .
The sensor may not function properly if
an object is placed on the sensor, or any-
thing that blocks the sensor is affixed to
the windshield.
Doing so interferes with the sensor
detecting the level of ambient light and
may cause the automatic headlight sys-
tem to malfunction.
Air conditioning operation may also be
interrupted.
ITO23P105

297
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
■Automatic headlight leveling system (if equipped)
The level of the headlights is automatically adjusted according to the number
of passengers and the loading condition of the vehicle to ensure that the
headlights do not interfere with other road users.
■Customization
Settings (e.g. light sensor sensitivity) can be changed.
(Customizable features →P. 6 3 9 )
NOTICE
■To p r e v e n t 1 2 - v o l t b a t t e r y d i s c h a r g e
Do not leave the lights on longer than necessary when the hybrid system is
off.

317
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
Driving in vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode
This mode employs a radar sensor to detect the presence of vehicles
up to approximately 400 ft. (120 m) ahead, determines the current
vehicle-to-vehicle following distance, and operates to maintain a suit-
able following distance from the vehicle ahead.
Note that vehicle-to-vehicle distance will close in when traveling on long
downhill slopes.

321
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
2
When driving
If the “POWER” switch is turned
off and then turned to ON mode
again, the vehicle will automati-
cally return to vehicle-to-vehicle
distance control mode.
Adjusting the speed setting:
→P. 3 1 4
Canceling and resuming the
speed setting: →P. 3 1 6
■Dynamic radar cruise control can be set when
●The shift position is in D.
●Ve h i c l e s p e e d i s a b o v e a p p r o x i m a t e l y 3 0 m p h ( 5 0 k m / h ) .
■Accelerating after setting the vehicle speed
The vehicle can accelerate normally. After acceleration, the set speed
resumes. However, during vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode, the
vehicle speed may decrease below the set speed in order to maintain the
distance to the vehicle ahead.
■Set speed
The set speed may be unsustainable depending on driving circumstances.
■Automatic cancelation of vehicle-to-vehicle distance control
Ve h i c l e - t o - v e h i c l e d i s ta n c e c o n t r o l d r i v i n g i s a u t o m a t i c a l l y c a n c e l e d i n t h e
following situations:
●Actual vehicle speed falls below approximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
●Enhanced VSC is activated.
●The sensor cannot operate correctly because it is covered in some way.
●The windshield wipers are operating at high speed (when the wiper
switch is set to the high speed windshield wiper operation position).
If vehicle-to-vehicle distance control driving is automatically canceled for any
other reason, there may be a malfunction in the system. Contact your Toyota
dealer.

322
2-4. Using other driving systems
PRIUS PHV_OM_OM47818U_(U)
■Automatic cancelation of constant speed control
The cruise control will stop maintaining the vehicle speed in the following sit-
uations:
●Actual vehicle speed is more than approximately 10 mph (16 km/h)
below the set vehicle speed.
At this time, the memorized set speed is not retained.
●Ve h i c l e s p e e d f a l l s b e l o w a p p roximately 25 mph (40 km/h).
●Enhanced VSC is activated.
■Radar sensor and grille cover
Always keep the sensor and grille cover clean to ensure that the vehicle-to-
vehicle distance control operates properly. (Some obstructions, such as
snow, ice and plastic objects, cannot be detected by the obstruction sensor.)
Dynamic radar cruise control (vehicle-to-vehicle distance control mode) will
be canceled if dirt is detected. (Constant speed control mode can be used).
Grille cover
Radar sensor